This year's edition of the CODEX magazine, titled "60 years of standards", is out now! Read some of our articles online and click on the link below to download the full publication.

This article by Nick Gardner, Long-time Codex delegate
Six decades is a long time for an organization to remain relevant and effective. Yet, the Codex Alimentarius, a concept developed at a time when global food trade looked very different than it does today, continues to deliver a multitude of benefits to billions of people around the world, many of whom have no idea it even exists. 

So why has Codex endured during one of the most dynamic periods of recorded history? And, why are so many different actors committed to ensuring its effectiveness and relevance into the future?

For me, it starts with Codex’s foundational commitment to developing and publishing science- and risk-based food standards. Codex standards both protect public health by ensuring food safety and promote fair trade practices. This mandate is unique and creates a “win-win” for all involved. 

For Members, Codex is rooted in science and adoption or harmonization with Codex standards can provide public health benefits for citizens while being no more trade restrictive than necessary. These public health benefits come alongside well documented positive impacts like the economic growth associated with reducing impediments to trade. 

For private sector stakeholders, Codex creates a space where risk-assessment and science reign supreme. This aids the safe commercialization of emerging tools, technologies, and products that can help meet consumer demand and create a safe, sustainable food system. Harmonization with Codex when formulating products or implementing practices can also reduce complexity of global supply chains and compliance costs maximizing potential to enter international trade.

And, at home and abroad, consumers can be assured of the safety and quality of the foods they eat because Codex constantly develops and updates its reference texts to reflect the latest risk-assessment and scientific evidence. 

Yet, Codex is more than just its mandate and its commitment to science. Codex has also made transparency and inclusiveness core values. At a time of incredible need within the multilateral system for solutions that can help transform our food system, these values will bring solutions to the table. 

Private sector stakeholders utilize Codex’s inclusive process to provide the data on which Codex risk assessments are based and to contribute technical expertise and practical experience otherwise unavailable to Codex. The transparent nature of Codex provides a level playing field for all and contributes to predictability, a value of the private sector. 

Consensus building is also an important Codex value despite the challenges that consensus-based decision making can offer. As the world continues to seek solutions to increasingly challenging food systems challenges, Codex’s history of successful consensus building positions it to offer workable solutions to complex problems. 

There is no doubt that Codex will be forced to evolve in its next sixty years, but there is also no reason to assume that this evolution requires dramatic transformation. Keeping Codex focused on delivering science-based food safety standards is the best way to ensure the effectiveness of Codex felt over the last 60 years continues to benefit the future. 

There is also no question that Codex has a role in complex efforts like delivering the 2030 UN Agenda and supporting more sustainable food systems. Yet, significantly expanding the scope of the organization beyond food safety is unlikely to maximize the benefits it can provide and could actually undermine much of what Codex has offered over the last 60 years through its commitment to science and risk assessment, and values like inclusiveness, transparency, and consensus building. 

As Codex Members and observers gather with friends and colleagues for the sixtieth anniversary celebration this November, let’s be pleased to say Codex looks pretty good at 60.  We should be optimistic about what it can offer into the next six decades.  

Download the CODEX magazine